Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An application performance management (APM) system comprising: an APM backend including: a user interface having a display; an agent stored as executable code in a memory, the agent configured to be installed at a target computing system; a communication interface, configured to communicate with the agent once deployed within a target computing system; and a processing system coupled with the communication interface and configured to execute operations of the APM; the APM system configured to: receive, from the target computing system via the communication interface, a request for the agent; send the executable code for the agent to the target computing system via the communication interface based on the request; automatically identify, via the agent installed at the target computing system, a plurality of operational elements associated with an application running on the target computing system; determine, at the agent, a plurality of software sensors specific to the plurality of operational elements identified by the agent; receive, at the processing system via the communication interface, a request for the plurality of software sensors from the agent; send the plurality of software sensors to the agent through the communication interface; install each of the plurality of software sensors within the target computing system to monitor the corresponding specific plurality of operational elements; collect, via the agent, metrics and meta information from the plurality of software sensors; periodically receive, at the processing system via the communication interface, at least some of the metrics and meta information from the agent; perform analysis on the at least some of the metrics and meta information, via the processing system, to identify a problem with the application; and display a suggested fix for the problem through the user interface.
2. The application performance management system of claim 1 , wherein the processing system is further configured to: send a command to the agent through the communication interface based on the problem identified with the application, wherein the command instructs the agent to set a parameter related to the application.
An application performance management system monitors and optimizes the performance of software applications in real-time. The system identifies performance issues such as slow response times, resource bottlenecks, or errors within the application. To address these problems, the system includes a processing system that communicates with an agent installed on the same system or a remote system where the application runs. The agent collects performance data and executes commands from the processing system. When a problem is detected, the processing system sends a command to the agent through a communication interface. This command instructs the agent to adjust a specific parameter related to the application, such as memory allocation, thread count, or timeout settings, to resolve the identified issue. The system ensures continuous monitoring and dynamic adjustments to maintain optimal application performance without manual intervention. This approach reduces downtime and improves efficiency by automating performance tuning based on real-time data.
3. The application performance management system of claim 1 , wherein the processing system is further configured to: send a command to the agent through the communication interface based on the problem identified with the application, wherein the command instructs the agent to: collect further metrics and meta information from one of the plurality of software sensors; and send the collected further metrics and meta information to the processing system for analysis.
An application performance management system monitors and analyzes software applications to identify performance issues. The system includes a processing system that receives data from multiple software sensors embedded in the application. These sensors collect metrics and metadata related to application performance, such as response times, error rates, and resource utilization. The processing system analyzes this data to detect problems, such as bottlenecks or failures, within the application. When a problem is identified, the processing system sends a command to an agent associated with the application. The agent is a software component that interfaces with the processing system and the application. The command instructs the agent to gather additional metrics and metadata from the software sensors. The agent then collects this supplementary data and transmits it back to the processing system for further analysis. This dynamic collection of additional data allows the system to refine its diagnosis of the problem, enabling more accurate troubleshooting and performance optimization. The system thus enhances application reliability and efficiency by proactively identifying and addressing performance issues.
4. The application performance management system of claim 3 , wherein the processing system is further configured to: receive the further collected metrics and meta information from the agent, through the communication interface; analyze the further collected metrics and meta information to determine issues with the application running on the target computing system; and send a second command to the agent through the communication interface instructing the agent to set a parameter related to the application.
This invention relates to application performance management systems designed to monitor and optimize software applications running on computing systems. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently collecting and analyzing performance metrics to identify and resolve issues in real-time, ensuring optimal application performance. The system includes a processing system that communicates with an agent installed on a target computing system. The agent collects metrics and metadata related to the application's performance, such as resource usage, response times, and error rates. These metrics are transmitted to the processing system, which analyzes them to detect performance issues. Based on the analysis, the processing system sends commands to the agent to adjust application parameters, such as configuration settings or resource allocations, to mitigate identified problems. The system is further configured to receive additional metrics and metadata from the agent, analyze this data to determine ongoing or new issues, and send further commands to adjust application parameters accordingly. This iterative process allows for continuous monitoring and dynamic optimization of application performance. The system ensures that applications run efficiently by proactively addressing performance bottlenecks and maintaining optimal operational conditions.
5. A method of managing operational elements executing within a target computing system, comprising: sending a request to obtain an agent computer program to install, from a target computing system to an application performance management (APM) system, the application performance management system including: a user interface having a display; and a communication interface configured to communicate with the target computing system; installing the agent at the target computing system; receiving, at the agent on the target computing system, a discovery command from the APM system; in response to the discovery command, automatically, at the target computing system via the agent, identifying a plurality of operational elements associated with an application running on the target computing system; determining, at the agent, a plurality of software sensors specific to the plurality of operational elements; sending a request for the plurality of software sensors from the target computing system to the APM system; receiving, at the agent, the plurality of software sensors from the APM system; installing the plurality of sensors within the target computing system to monitor the corresponding specific plurality of operational elements; monitoring, via the agent, the plurality of software sensors to periodically collect meta information about the plurality of operational elements; periodically sending at least some of the collected meta information from the agent to the APM system; analyzing the collected meta information at the APM system, including modeling a three dimensional rendering comprising representations for each of the plurality of operational elements and at least one host machine representation, the three dimensional rendering grouping the representations of each of the plurality of operational elements and the at least one host machine representation into physical groupings, such that each of the physical groupings comprises at least one of the representations of the plurality of operational elements and a respective host machine representation; identifying, at the APM system, a problem with the application based on the meta information; and displaying a suggested fix for the problem through the user interface of the APM system.
The invention relates to application performance management (APM) systems for monitoring and managing operational elements within a target computing system. The problem addressed is the need for automated discovery, monitoring, and troubleshooting of application components to ensure optimal performance and quick resolution of issues. The system includes an APM system with a user interface and a communication interface to interact with a target computing system. The process begins by sending a request from the target system to the APM system to obtain and install an agent program. Once installed, the agent receives a discovery command from the APM system and automatically identifies operational elements associated with an application running on the target system. The agent then determines specific software sensors for these elements and requests them from the APM system. After receiving the sensors, the agent installs them to monitor the corresponding operational elements, periodically collecting metadata about their performance. The collected metadata is sent to the APM system, where it is analyzed to generate a three-dimensional rendering. This rendering includes representations of the operational elements and host machines, grouped into physical groupings for visualization. The APM system identifies application problems based on the metadata and displays suggested fixes through its user interface. This approach automates the discovery, monitoring, and troubleshooting of application components, improving system performance and reducing downtime.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein: the plurality of operational elements associated with the application comprise both hardware and software elements on which the application depends for operation; and the APM system generates unique fingerprints to identify distinct operational elements.
This invention relates to application performance monitoring (APM) systems designed to track and analyze the operational elements of software applications. The problem addressed is the difficulty in accurately identifying and monitoring the diverse hardware and software components that applications rely on for proper functioning. Traditional APM systems often struggle to distinguish between different operational elements, leading to incomplete or inaccurate performance data. The invention improves upon prior art by generating unique fingerprints for each operational element, whether hardware or software, to ensure precise identification. These fingerprints allow the APM system to distinguish between distinct components, even if they share similar characteristics. The system monitors both hardware elements, such as servers or network devices, and software elements, such as libraries, APIs, or dependencies, that the application interacts with. By tracking these elements individually, the APM system can provide more detailed insights into application performance, including dependencies, resource usage, and potential bottlenecks. The fingerprinting process ensures that each operational element is uniquely identifiable, enabling the APM system to correlate performance data with specific components. This enhances troubleshooting, performance optimization, and root cause analysis by providing a clear mapping of how different elements contribute to the application's overall behavior. The invention is particularly useful in complex environments where applications depend on multiple interconnected components, improving visibility and control over system performance.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising: receiving a command from the APM system at the agent; in response to the command, setting a parameter related to the application.
This invention relates to application performance monitoring (APM) systems, specifically improving the dynamic configuration of application parameters through agent-based communication. The problem addressed is the need for real-time adjustments to application behavior without manual intervention, ensuring optimal performance and responsiveness. The system includes an APM system that monitors application performance metrics and an agent deployed within the application environment. The agent collects performance data and communicates with the APM system. The APM system analyzes this data to identify performance issues or optimization opportunities. When an adjustment is needed, the APM system sends a command to the agent. Upon receiving the command, the agent modifies a parameter related to the application, such as resource allocation, timeout settings, or logging levels. This allows the application to dynamically adapt to changing conditions without requiring manual configuration changes. The method ensures that applications can self-optimize based on real-time performance data, reducing downtime and improving efficiency. The agent's ability to receive and act on commands from the APM system enables proactive management of application performance. This approach is particularly useful in cloud environments, microservices architectures, and distributed systems where manual adjustments are impractical. The invention enhances automation in performance management, ensuring applications remain responsive and efficient under varying loads.
8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising: receiving a command from the APM system at the agent; in response to receiving the command, collecting, by the agent, further meta information from one of the plurality of software sensors; and sending the further collected meta information to the APM system for analysis.
This invention relates to application performance monitoring (APM) systems that track software application behavior using distributed software sensors. The problem addressed is the need for dynamic, on-demand collection of additional metadata from software sensors to enhance performance analysis without preconfiguring all possible data points. The system includes an APM system connected to multiple software sensors deployed across a distributed computing environment. Each sensor monitors application performance metrics. An agent acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the APM system, managing data collection and communication. The agent receives commands from the APM system to collect specific metadata from one or more sensors. Upon receiving a command, the agent queries the designated sensor for additional metadata beyond the standard metrics. The collected metadata is then transmitted back to the APM system for further analysis, enabling real-time troubleshooting and performance optimization. This approach allows the APM system to request targeted metadata only when needed, reducing overhead and improving efficiency compared to continuous collection of all possible data. The dynamic collection mechanism ensures relevant metadata is available for analysis without prior configuration, enhancing the system's adaptability to varying performance monitoring needs.
9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising: temporarily holding the meta information collected from the plurality of sensors as raw data at the agent; condensing, at the agent, the raw data into baseline data and delta information indicating changes to the plurality of operational elements; and sending baseline data and the delta information to the APM system as the at least some of the meta information.
This invention relates to a method for optimizing data collection and transmission in an application performance monitoring (APM) system. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of continuously transmitting large volumes of raw sensor data from monitored systems to a central APM system, which can strain network resources and processing capabilities. The method involves using an agent deployed on a monitored system to collect meta information from multiple sensors monitoring various operational elements. The agent temporarily stores this raw data before processing it to reduce transmission overhead. Specifically, the agent condenses the raw data into two components: baseline data representing the initial state of the operational elements and delta information indicating subsequent changes. By transmitting only the baseline data and the deltas rather than the full raw dataset, the method minimizes the amount of data sent to the APM system, improving efficiency and reducing network load. The agent's role is critical, as it acts as an intermediary that filters and compresses the data before forwarding it. This approach ensures that the APM system receives only the necessary information for performance analysis, while the agent handles the preprocessing to maintain system efficiency. The method is particularly useful in environments where continuous monitoring is required but network bandwidth or processing power is limited.
10. The method of claim 5 , wherein periodically sending at least some of the collected meta information from the agent to the APM system for analysis comprises condensing the meta information into condensed sensor data; and periodically sending the condensed sensor data to the APM system for analysis.
This invention relates to application performance monitoring (APM) systems that collect and analyze meta information from agents deployed in a computing environment. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of transmitting large volumes of raw meta information from agents to the APM system, which can consume excessive network bandwidth and processing resources. The solution involves condensing the meta information into a more compact form, referred to as condensed sensor data, before transmission. This condensed data retains essential performance metrics while reducing the amount of data sent to the APM system. The agents collect meta information from various sources, such as application logs, system metrics, or user interactions, and then process this data to extract key performance indicators. The condensed sensor data is generated by applying compression techniques, filtering out redundant or less critical information, or aggregating data over time intervals. The APM system receives the condensed sensor data periodically, allowing for efficient analysis and monitoring of application performance without overwhelming the network or processing infrastructure. This approach ensures that performance monitoring remains scalable and resource-efficient, even in large-scale distributed systems.
11. One or more non-transitory computer readable media storing program instructions that, when executed direct processing circuitry to operate an application performance management (APM) system, including: receive, from a target computing system through a communication interface of the APM system, a request for executable code for an agent; send, via the communication interface, the executable code to the target computing system for installation of the agent at the target computing system; command the agent deployed within the target computing system, through the communication interface, to perform a discovery operation on the target computing system, including: identifying a plurality of operational elements associated with an application running on the target computing system; determining a plurality of software sensors specific to the plurality of operational elements; and sending a request for the plurality of software sensors to the APM system; send the plurality of software sensors to the agent through the communication interface in response to the request; periodically receive, via the communication interface from the agent, meta information collected from the plurality of software sensors by the agent; analyze the meta information, including modeling a three dimensional rendering comprising: representations for each of the plurality of operational elements and at least one host machine representation, the three dimensional rendering grouping the representations of each of the plurality of operational elements and the at least one host machine representation into physical groupings, such that each of the physical groupings comprises at least one of the representations of the plurality of operational elements and a respective host machine representation; and display at least some of the meta information as a first color representing a status of the plurality of operational elements through a user interface.
This invention relates to application performance management (APM) systems that monitor and analyze software applications running on target computing systems. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently collecting, processing, and visualizing performance data from distributed applications to identify and resolve operational issues. The APM system receives a request from a target computing system for executable code to install an agent. The system sends the agent code to the target system, where it is installed. Once deployed, the agent performs a discovery operation to identify operational elements (e.g., processes, services, or components) associated with an application running on the target system. The agent then determines software sensors specific to these operational elements and requests them from the APM system. The APM system provides the requested sensors, which the agent uses to collect meta information (e.g., performance metrics, logs, or traces) from the operational elements. The APM system periodically receives this meta information, analyzes it, and generates a three-dimensional rendering. This rendering includes representations of the operational elements and host machines, grouped into physical groupings to reflect their relationships. The system displays the meta information through a user interface, using color coding to indicate the status of the operational elements, enabling users to quickly identify performance issues. This approach enhances visibility into application performance and simplifies troubleshooting.
12. The one or more non transitory computer readable media of claim 11 , wherein the program instructions further direct the processing circuitry to: analyze the at least some of the meta information to determine a problem with the application running on the target computing system; indicate the problem as a second color through a user interface of a backend device of the APM system, the second color replacing the first color; and send a command to the agent through the communication interface based on the problem.
This invention relates to application performance monitoring (APM) systems that analyze application behavior on target computing systems. The system includes a backend device with processing circuitry and a communication interface, and an agent installed on the target computing system to collect meta information about the application. The processing circuitry analyzes this meta information to detect performance issues. When a problem is identified, the system visually indicates it through a user interface on the backend device by changing the display color from a first color to a second color. Additionally, the system sends a command to the agent to address the detected problem. The agent may collect meta information such as application logs, performance metrics, or system resource usage, and the backend device processes this data to identify anomalies or deviations from expected behavior. The color change in the user interface provides an immediate visual alert to users, while the command sent to the agent enables automated or guided remediation actions. This approach enhances real-time monitoring and troubleshooting of application performance issues.
13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 12 , wherein the command instructs the agent to set a parameter related to the application.
This invention relates to a system for managing software applications through automated agents. The problem addressed is the need for efficient, centralized control of application parameters without requiring manual intervention or direct user interaction. The system involves a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, enable an agent to receive and process commands. These commands instruct the agent to modify specific parameters associated with a software application. The parameters may include configuration settings, performance thresholds, or operational directives that influence the application's behavior. The agent operates autonomously or under remote supervision, ensuring that the application adheres to predefined or dynamically adjusted settings. This approach reduces the need for manual configuration, minimizes errors, and allows for scalable management of multiple applications across different environments. The system is particularly useful in scenarios where applications must adapt to changing conditions or comply with centralized policies, such as in enterprise IT environments or cloud-based deployments. The invention enhances operational efficiency by automating parameter adjustments, ensuring consistency, and reducing administrative overhead.
14. A method of managing operational elements, comprising: automatically identifying an application running on a target computer, and a plurality of operational elements of the target computer on which the application depends to run; determining a plurality of sensors to request from a backend host computer, the plurality of sensors specific to the plurality of operational elements on the target computer; receiving, at the target computer, the plurality of sensors from the backend host computer; installing the plurality of sensors to monitor the corresponding specific plurality of operational elements; collecting and storing metrics and meta information at the target computer from the plurality of software sensors; periodically sending the metrics and meta information to the backend host computer for analysis; analyzing the collected metrics and meta information by the backend host computer to identify a problem with the application based on a status of the plurality of operation elements on which the application depends; and displaying, through a user interface associated with the backend host computer, at least some of the metrics and meta information as a first color representing a status of the plurality of operational elements and a suggested fix for the problem.
This invention relates to a system for monitoring and managing operational dependencies of applications running on a target computer. The problem addressed is the lack of automated, real-time visibility into the operational elements that applications rely on, which can lead to performance issues or failures. The solution involves a method that automatically identifies an application and its dependencies on a target computer, such as hardware resources, software components, or system configurations. The system then determines specific sensors tailored to these dependencies and retrieves them from a backend host computer. These sensors are installed on the target computer to monitor the operational elements in real time. The collected metrics and metadata are stored locally and periodically sent to the backend host for analysis. The backend analyzes the data to detect issues with the application by assessing the status of its dependencies. The results are displayed through a user interface, using color-coded indicators to represent the health of the operational elements and suggesting fixes for identified problems. This approach ensures proactive monitoring and troubleshooting of application dependencies, improving system reliability and performance.
15. The application performance management system of claim 1 , wherein the three dimensional rendering further comprises a time-shift, such that a respective physical grouping may be shifted from a present time to a backward time.
The application performance management system monitors and visualizes the performance of computing systems, particularly in distributed or cloud environments. A key challenge is providing intuitive, real-time insights into system behavior across multiple dimensions, including physical and logical groupings of components. The system addresses this by generating a three-dimensional (3D) rendering of performance data, where physical groupings of computing resources (e.g., servers, clusters) are displayed in a spatial layout. This visualization allows users to identify performance bottlenecks, dependencies, and anomalies by interacting with the 3D model. A specific enhancement to this system enables time-shifting within the 3D rendering. This feature allows users to shift a selected physical grouping (e.g., a server cluster) backward in time, displaying its performance state at a past point rather than the present. By comparing historical and current states, users can analyze trends, diagnose recurring issues, and assess the impact of past events on system performance. The time-shift functionality integrates with the 3D visualization, maintaining spatial relationships while dynamically updating data to reflect the selected timeframe. This capability improves root-cause analysis and predictive maintenance by providing a temporal perspective on system behavior.
16. The method of claim 5 , wherein the three dimensional rendering further comprises a time-shift, such that a respective physical grouping may be shifted from a present time to a backward time.
This invention relates to three-dimensional rendering systems for visualizing physical groupings, such as objects or data points, in a spatial context. The problem addressed is the need to analyze temporal changes in these groupings, allowing users to observe how their spatial relationships evolve over time. The solution involves a rendering method that incorporates a time-shift feature, enabling the visualization of a physical grouping at different points in time, including shifting it backward from the present to a past state. This allows users to compare current and historical configurations, track movement patterns, or assess changes in spatial relationships. The rendering may involve dynamic adjustments to the display, such as adjusting positions, orientations, or other visual attributes, to reflect the time-shifted state. The method ensures that the rendered output remains accurate and interpretable, even when the grouping is displayed at a non-present time. This capability is particularly useful in fields like urban planning, logistics, or scientific research, where understanding temporal dynamics is critical. The time-shift feature may be applied to individual elements within the grouping or to the entire grouping as a whole, depending on the application requirements. The system may also include user controls to adjust the time-shift incrementally or to select specific historical time points for visualization.
17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the three dimensional rendering further comprises a time-shift, such that a respective physical grouping may be shifted from a present time to a backward time.
This invention relates to three-dimensional (3D) rendering systems for visualizing physical groupings, such as objects or structures, in a time-shifted manner. The technology addresses the challenge of analyzing how physical groupings evolve over time by enabling users to shift their visualization backward in time, allowing for retrospective analysis. The system includes a 3D rendering module that generates a spatial representation of the physical grouping, incorporating temporal data to enable time-based adjustments. The time-shift feature allows users to dynamically adjust the rendering to display the grouping at different historical time points, facilitating the study of changes, movements, or transformations over time. This capability is particularly useful in fields such as archaeology, urban planning, or environmental monitoring, where understanding past states is critical. The invention may also include additional rendering features, such as spatial adjustments or dynamic updates, to enhance the accuracy and usability of the time-shifted visualization. The system leverages computational techniques to process and display the temporal data efficiently, ensuring smooth transitions between time points.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the three dimensional rendering further comprises a time-shift, such that a respective physical grouping may be shifted from a present time to a backward time.
This invention relates to three-dimensional rendering systems for visualizing physical groupings, such as objects or structures, in a time-shifted manner. The technology addresses the challenge of analyzing spatial relationships and changes over time by enabling users to shift a rendered three-dimensional model from the present time to a backward time, allowing for retrospective analysis. The method involves generating a three-dimensional rendering of a physical grouping, where the rendering includes temporal data associated with the grouping. By applying a time-shift function, the rendering can be adjusted to display the grouping as it existed at an earlier point in time. This allows users to observe how the grouping has evolved, identify patterns, or assess historical conditions. The time-shift may be applied dynamically, enabling real-time adjustments to the rendering based on user input or predefined parameters. The invention enhances situational awareness and decision-making by providing a visual representation of temporal changes in physical groupings, which is particularly useful in fields such as urban planning, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management. The system may integrate with sensors, databases, or simulation models to ensure accurate temporal rendering.
19. The application performance management system of claim 1 , wherein the analysis comprises: modeling the metrics and meta information into a three dimensional rendering including representations for each of the plurality of operational elements and at least one host machine representation, the three dimensional rendering grouping the representations of each of the plurality of operational elements and the at least one host machine representation into physical groupings, such that each of the physical groupings comprises at least one of the representations of the plurality of operational elements and a respective host machine representation.
The application performance management system addresses the challenge of monitoring and analyzing complex distributed systems by providing a visual representation of system performance metrics and metadata. The system models these metrics and metadata into a three-dimensional rendering that includes visual representations for each operational element and at least one host machine. The rendering organizes these representations into physical groupings, where each grouping consists of at least one operational element representation and a corresponding host machine representation. This visualization allows users to observe relationships and dependencies between system components, facilitating faster identification of performance bottlenecks and operational inefficiencies. The three-dimensional structure enhances spatial awareness, making it easier to navigate and interpret large-scale system architectures. By grouping related elements, the system simplifies the analysis of distributed environments, improving troubleshooting and performance optimization. The rendering dynamically updates to reflect real-time changes, ensuring accurate and up-to-date insights into system health. This approach is particularly valuable in cloud-based and microservices architectures, where traditional monitoring tools often struggle to provide clear, actionable insights.
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June 2, 2020
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